PinkDrive NPC together with its primary health partners, South African National Aids Council (SANAC), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the Northern Cape Department of Health, sponsored by Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) will be undertaking the health and community activation roadshow to provide health services to communities of Namakwa District (Nama-Khoi and Khai-Mai) – Northern Cape from 22 – 26 August 2022.
PinkDrive’s cardinal purpose is to contribute meaningfully towards preventing as many people as it can, from succumbing to breast, cervical, prostate, and testicular cancer. Its primary focus is on citizens without access to reasonable care for these conditions, and who reside in areas where health services do not reach.
It recognizes that treatable cancers receiving even the basic levels of care, could translate into varying lengths of extended life for the afflicted, when detected and treated early. Its posture is ostensibly a promoter of health awareness in general, and specifically health education and heightening awareness of gender-related cancers in South Africa.
Health services to be provided include mammograms, pap smears, prostate specific antigen (PSA) screenings, and through the Cheka Impilo Wave driven by SANAC HIV, TB and STI testing, covid 19 vaccination and mental health services will be provided.
Other services will be provided by the Department of Education, Home Affairs, Justice, and the District Municipality.
The new theme for CANCER in 2022 through 2024 is “Close the Care Gap.”
“We know that the toll of cancer on global health is enormous. Nearly 10 million people died from cancer worldwide in 2020, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and inequities in cancer care across the world only compound that burden. There is no doubt that global disparities in access to cancer prevention, treatment, and palliative care are growing exponentially, and these disparities have only been worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic”, UICC says.
“It is a milestone for the province and the district of Namakwa to have cancer screening services focusing on young men and women, it will also encourage men to go for screening of prostate cancer, because in most cases times men are left behind”, says Cde Beau Nkaelang, Northern Cape Civil Society Forum Provincial chairperson.
Key dates:
VEDANTA ACTIVATION DATES:
Concordia, Nama-Khoi: Monday, 22 August 2022
Steinkopf, Nama-Khoi: Tuesday, 23 August 2022
Springbok, Nama-Khoi: Wednesday, 24 August 2022
Pella, Khai-Mai: Thursday, 25 August 2022
Aggeneys, Khai-Mai: Friday, 26 August 2022
UCT/GROOTE SCHUUR COLO-RECTAL RESEARCH STUDY ANALYSIS ACTIVATION DATES:
(SANAC and other service providers to assist)
Upington, ZF Mgcawu District Municipality: Monday, 29 August 2022
Port Nolloth, Richtersveld Local Municipality: Wednesday, 31 August 2022
Garies, Kamiesberg Local Municipality: Thursday, 1 September 2022 – Friday, 2 September 2022
Khaobab Wind Farms:
Loeriesfontein, Namakwa District: Monday, 5 September to Tuesday, 6 September 2022